Officials: Evidence recovered in disappearance of Wright County man

A search near a farm in Hutchinson this week has resulted in the recovery of evidence believed to be connected with the disappearance of a Wright County man in August, KSTP reports.

Authorities say the evidence was recovered near the property of Robert Otis Nuttall, 21, who is charged with kidnapping in the disappearance of Christopher Rossing, 25, of Albion Township. Nuttall's live-in girlfriend, Gwen Maria Butcher, 32, has been charged with felony obstruction in the case.

Word of the evidence comes after a four-day search of the property this week by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and McLeod County Sheriff’s Office, who were assisting the Wright County Sheriff's Department.

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“Evidence believed to be connected to the disappearance of Christopher Rossing was collected from the property and sent to state and local labs for analysis," the Wright County Sheriff's Department said in a statement released Thursday. "No further information will be released as to the nature of the evidence."

FOX 9 says the case took a dramatic turn Saturday, when Butcher called police after volunteer searchers for Rossing got close to her property in Hutchinson. Authorities began initiating their latest search in the area on Monday.

Charges against the suspects say Rossing and Nuttall were flirting with the same woman at the American Legion, which caused some tension between the two. According to the Star Tribune, authorities say Butcher then got to the bar and was irritated Nuttall was paying attention to another woman. The couple then left, the paper says.

Authorities say Rossing then went to Trouble’s Bar, where Nuttall and Butcher showed up together later. After leaving, Nuttall and Rossing had a “violent altercation,” KARE 11 says, before Nuttall and Butcher drove home with Rossing in the SUV. Butcher told police Nuttall said he drove Rossing to Howard Lake, the station says.